Dubspot :: Akai APC40 Demo w/ Ableton Live 8

[Br0o0otal]

@BOJANGLESWEETEA Music will always evolve.

[ppptpot]

Assigning and pressing. Is this really what the craft of making music has boiled down to?!

[Br0o0otal]

@ppptpot Do you not realize how much work some people put into each one of those clips, just because you do not see it live, does not mean it is any lesser of a craft.

[ppptpot]

@Br0o0otal I do realize trust me. The point is, that music use to be so much more than electronic. People would lock themselves up, devour themselves in their work. Now its just some weird community calling themselves musicians. Very few people I know use this equipment successfully as an extension to their work!, for the most part its just heartless folk having fun on electrical appliance.

I was purely talking about the lack of real musicians. Not the work put in this video nor the appliance!

[Airvtz]

can you go back to the standard factory mapping, once you have changed some mappings?

[majora158]

i want that shirt



[spungehead]

i'm currently using traktor with a vci 100 mk2, i use ableton as my DAW and am seriously considering using this as my dj software too. I have a question though, where are the eq's? or would you simply assign the EQ3 to some knobs for you hi/mid/top cuts?

[nikorockout]

When I got my APC 40, my friend plugged it into his computer and it asked to install to his computer and it works fine all mapped out on his, but when i plugged it into my computer it didn't ask me to install it and i have to map out all the keys and half of the colors on the buttons don't turn on with my set. Can anyone help me out?

[fattyJNL]

Turn metronome on and off, if that's what you're into. Classic.

[jasonstheory]

This is badass. Love your videos, too, by the way. I appreciate you making all this information available for free. You're the best.

[thejezereck]

exactly, but making the song feel natural really is determined by how you lay it all together. As a producer using digital, you'll spend a lifetime chasing down the natural sound.

[thejezereck]

@Simplistic7SalvatioN yeah at first its extremely overwhelming but if you stick with it , it really makes ableton so much easier to control!

[lildevilchild23]

where can i get one lol

[thejezereck]

@lildevilchild23 guitar center, b&h, zzounds, pretty much any place that deals with dj/production gear

[powerkor]

can you build that into a guitar?

[thejezereck]

@powerkor actually there is a video on youtube where someone did something kind of similar with synth patches

[Lupi1234]

nice shirt

[RelicOnMiko]

Lol @quantum

[QuantumZenoDub]

turn the metronome on and off........ if thats uh what you're into.

[Darkwarrior702]

what styles of music is it able to play?

[itSthiSimple]

So Im not new to producing, but i AM NEW to hardware (other than midi controllers).

Would this be any MORE ideal for performing tracks live than the Akai MPD24? What is the real difference between the two- I know the APC has more sends, and many more pads, but im uncertain as to its functionality live....

Im assuming with the MPD24 you could use them as pads live? as well as triggering midi samples... where this APC40 is more for turning on and off... certain... midi patterns?... Yeah I'm lost.

[petersedin]

can i control external midi synths with this thru ableton?

[DubSpot]

@petersedin yes you can, just needs a bit of setup. It's a midi controller so can control anything that takes MIDI.

[sebazeinspace]

@DubSpot Hi, I have some experience now with the APC40, but can't get over one thing: if u use the standard mapping of the APC40 in Ableton, there are some default mappings for the instruments within every miditrack. But I don't like that for every instr7ument. So sometimes I map the knobs to a synth (lets say Massive). Than that knob is lost in the default settings in other miditracks. Why is that?

[OleNieling]

barely hearing the music in the back ground makes me nervous as hell...

[chuckles1252]

what is a good pad controller to go with this? the novation launchpad?

[DubSpot]

@chuckles1252 the Launchpad and APC are two similar pieces of gear so I wouldn't necessarily use them together. For a pad controller I would look at something like the Akai MPD24 or 32 or the M-Audio Triggerfinger. The reason I wouldn't use a Launchpad for a drum pad controller is that the pads are not velocity sensitive.

[chuckles1252]

@DubSpot thanks for the advice! :)

[soundmassacre]

as someone who is new to ableton (not new to producing) is this a good product for a newcomer to the midi world? Im trying to decide which controller to buy...Im really liking this one...but as far as writing the music is what i want? or do i need an actual keyboard of some kind?

[DubSpot]

@soundmassacre the APC40 is more useful for performing with clips. It's not really designed for composing beats and melodies. For that you're going to want a keyboard or pad controller. The APC40 is more for performing arrangements in the studio or playing clips on stage.

[soundmassacre]

@DubSpot Cool thx bro, I decided to go with the MPD26 and the little akai LPK keyboard. Can't wait for it to arrive!! Only thing, I have the ableton trial and am having trouble even getting a simple beat going. its agravating. I understand the concept, but can't even pull up the pattern window to lay somethin down!! any help?

[soundmassacre]

@DubSpot Thx bro I decided to go with the MPD26 and the little akai LPK keyboard...Can't wait for it to arrive!! Only thing, I have the trial version of ableton and am having trouble even getting a simple beat going.

Its agravating. I understand the concept from using FL Studio, but I cant even figure out how to pull up the pattern window to lay somethin down. wtf. any help?

[minusjason]

@soundmassacre Not sure if you got an answer to this... but the tutorials within Live are pretty good for getting you started. I dunno if they're included with the trial version.

Pretty much just open up Impulse, then if you see what looks kinda like a piano roll press shift+tab to change views, and you'll see 8 spots to which you can drag clips. You fill up the clips with your drum samples and then press shift+tab again so you can put some notes on. Does that make sense?

[Gen0cidePTB]

@soundmassacre It does make a great drum pad/control surface combo though! As long as you dont mind getting a keyboard as well.

[DigitalLoopmusic]

Great !!!

[musiccomputing]

Hey, just wanted to let everyone know I've left Open Labs and started a new company called Music Computing. Check out the new gear at Music Computing or click the link below for videos. - Thanks, Victor Wong

[FMIF1028]

can someone tell me how to map this piece, just got one today and im having some troubles. still trying to figure out ableton and apc40 all together, thanks

[ShfeKrylon]

can i use my old Ableton live 8 or must i download a special made Ableton live for the APC?

[DubSpot]

@ShfeKrylon it will work with the Ableton you have.

[sackrotch]

shits sooo cash!

[bacelines]

So as soon as you plug it in it loads all the sounds and stuff or what?

[DubSpot]

@bacelines it connects seamlessly to Ableton, it controls the software so you need to load your sounds on the software side.

[bizzyfingers]

this piece of equipment changed everything for me

[SuperSaucy141]

Is it possible to edit the parameters of the knobs of the controller, ie for changing the frequency on the sounds in the simpler????

[DubSpot]

@SuperSaucy141 yes, you can completely re-map the configuration to control whatever you want.

[universalflowster]

everybody catch all that? good, then we can proceed!

i am peppering the internet with witty commentary! join me!

[TheMrCrinkle]

up bustle and out poster in the back ground........grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr­rrrrrrrrrrreat:)

[AdjustedMusicJay]

have you checked out Traktor with the APC40? watch?v=RD1IXOkxOUo

[downsalas]

hey quick question. does it come with ableton live 8 ?

[KazuyiaMishima]

@downsalas Includes Ableton Live Lite AKAI APC40 edition

[StyleFence]

@downsalas no

[dance4lifenow]

5:06, what he do ???

[thesamplequeen]

Over the past six years I have collected and captured a very large diverse collection of sample C.D's/ Loop Kits/ Loop C.D's/ Tutorials and much more. I have all the factory sounds from every drum machine made in the last 20 years including the AKAI MPC range with MPC programmes.

Trust me, you want it I got it I have everything!

Contact me for a full list!

[dizzid11]

@thesamplequeen I love a copy of your list! my email is dulcimerinfo at dizzi co uk

[TheHevquip]

@thesamplequeen you have akai xr-10 samples? i sold mine awhile back and dearly miss the the snaps, snares, and claps on it.

[certificate18flix]

I have one for sale. Used once. Immaculate condition and boxed. Going for £300.

[bigbigsound]

@certificate18flix

why you selling it?is it shit?im deeply suspicious of this product.

[certificate18flix]

@bigbigsound Shit? Not at all- it's a great bit of plug and play equipment but I have just bought the Jazzmutant Lemur so I don't need this anymore.

[ericxxxway]

Hi I have used Live since 4 Lite I now have Abelton Live 8.0.4 I had Live 7 But I'm still learning new stuff everyday. I want to get the Akai APC40 but I was wondering does it work with the Akai MPC 5000 and if I have the MPC 5000 do I even need to get the APC40? Or does having all 3 Plus my Midi Keyboard make for a good combo? Please advise. Thank you

[Lifted680]

Two whole different machines... the apc would have way more control over ableton, it only supports midi and the mpc is a work station itself... It would make a perfect addition to any studio to have both... but i would suggest an audio interface to record

[AlainPeters]

When u solo multiple tracks and wanna (un)solo dem all at once, there's always one to stay on(blue cursors)...grrrr ! that's an issue for me, and it seems for him too !! he passes quick on that one... good product anyway !

[toynoise]

The APC40 produces a horrible whining noise when powered. Cheap internal electronics. Check out the forums - lots of people moaning about this. It's not an audio/USB/power issue. Not a problem live, but next to your ear in the studio - unbearable. A real shame - this could have been a killer product, but it's going back in the box.

[TtimePoi]

wouldn't it be tight if the apc knobs acted as push buttons like the BCR has? that'd be tight

[EEZAL]

and if all the pads were velocity sensitive it would be the ultimate controller for live ...

[HeroN86]

I have the Novation Launchpad, but wishing for the APC 40 - I've heard they work great together.

[jonpaulevans]

i don't think I like it...am i nuts? I'm more of a mixer controller guy i guess. zero8 or xone4d

[birdcjuda]

whats wrong with having both? i got a launchpad a week ago and that shit rocks, but teh APC is still on my wish list.

[jonpaulevans]

i just gotthe apc40 today

[dabeatmix]

I think it's greeat. But once u get used to a

Different device it's hard to switch I usually

Use xone 4 I like it better

[johnwally]

So I thought I had everything but now I am back I want mode , HE HE HE

Gotta get

[rodmaciel92]

do i need a m audio interface to play live??

[macdaddylorenzo]

no, you can use any audio interface you want

[bizzyfingers]

no, a keyboard and mouse and your good to go

[skatechatham]

I got the apc40 just recently, since the pan knobs are useless (as pans) you just remap them to control things on different tracks, like filters and reverb levels on different tracks so you don't need to switch what track you are controlling. I mapped the tap tempo button to do "back to arrangement" and the cross fader for things like mix level on "glitch" vst, which you can put on a drum track or the main to really get spontaneous... you can have alot of fun with just a few loops going

[HaywiredPoet]

dude niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice I want to sleep with it

[strugglebuggietv]

Weak vid,,,tech guys should not be trying to represent,,,,

[phiegnux]

i WILL own one some day. for now, il get to know my mpd24 better.

[kipptumor]

We just use a Logitech Joystick to cherry-pick our way through the clips. Check out my videos. There is no limit and the thing whizzes through the screen pretty fast. Can't activate two at a time unless we have the audio cubes set to specific clips, but we mix long, you know.

[felipescalador]

which is better the jazzmutant lemur or the akai apc40??

[Macdaddy1129]

probably the lemur if you have the money because its totally customizable but the apc40 is awesome and has a rather small pricetag

[TheBoogAssassin]

It really depends on you. The lemur is more customizable, but the apc has physical buttons and knobs. Nothing can replace the feel of twisting a knob, especially touch screen. Once Max4Live comes out, the APC is going to be so much more beastly!

[nagchampa2012]

i would go with the jazzmutant ...... just because. haha : )

[metaZen]

kind of apples to oranges...and the lemur is about a grand more so......depends on what you want them to do really..

[mouthbreather1]

APC, definitely. The Lemur is a lot "prettier," but for about $1000 less (an APC + any trigger finger controller that has customizable knobs like an MPD24 or LPD8 + a keyboard controller) you can basically do the same thing.

[TtimePoi]

if you have to ask that question you obviously don't know enough to drop the cash on a Lemur, or else you would've done your homework and realized that you don't even need an APC unless you know what you're going to do with it..

[tmanisaur]

That's crap - let him buy whatever he wants and then figure out how to use it. Anyone can make any music anyhow they please. Saying that to someone is just ignorant - it's not up to you to tell someone what they do or don't know or should/shouldn't do. Shaddap, wanker.

I have a studio full of gear. I'm planning on ordering one of these also, then figuring out what I want to do with it.

[ericxxxway]

@tmanisaur I know right! Thats how you learn and make great music is by trying new things out,mixing and matching and adding to your audio collection. Hell I want every music making tool possible..lol I love this stuff. I love technology and it has come a long way.I'm opening a studio and I have the MPC5000 and Abelton Live 8 but I want to know if adding the APC40 would be a good mix or fit or is it overkill? Any advise?

[trancepwr79]

I wonder if you can use more than one APC at the same time with live 8

[willrjmarshall]

Yes

[dildosinuniform]

for sure needs to be color coded pads

[DarkShroom]

best gadget ever :)

[theINSIDEout001]

What would be AMAZING if they make a follow-up to the APC40, is if the pads can detect the color of the clips in Live, and display the corresponding color on the controller.

[demonskate182]

i think it would be cool if there was a small screen above the clip launch section that showed the name of the track, it would have to be good though, screens on midi controllers can fail miserably, haha

[SEXRAVER]

An improvement would be digital tape aka being able to see what the tracks name is or sample above the pad.

[mixdownx]

really want one of these

[NamonShir]

pads are plastic soft or hard?

[SufiShia]

£30 is a very good deal!

I bit the bullet and just ordered a KX25 from Thomann for £85.

Should get it by the weekend hopefully.

[SufiShia]

How do you find the UMX25?

I'm currently trying to decide between the UMX25 or the Yamaha KX25.

[boatblocker]

oops.. nevermind

[boatblocker]

i neeeed one of those. wonder how it works with audition, i cant fuck with live

[sunaivod]

I can't imagine this will work with other programs, it's been made for ableton live

[bernieburnalot]

Very good point you brought up there. Having a quick look around, AKAI mentions nothing about it working with anything else, and this is a PARTNERSHIP with Ableton.

Buying a MIDI controller means I want it to work with ALL my software.

[freakypurplebrain]

from where can i buy Akai APC 40 ?

[Musiccalculater]

i think this hardware is very nice looking, and is ideal for the people who use live mostly with clips- i for one, just compose on live....so the massive area of squares that trigger clips are allready not to usefull to me... still very nice looking though.

[SongOfTheLastCamel]

why not make a big touchscreen that displays the session view instead of those keys that look like some kind of trigger finger? Its not like you can use this instead of screen unless you've memorized your whole project...

[rossmorris]

alot of people dont like touchscreen technology, i know i dont and alot of people i speak to.

we like real buttons faders.

there is just a touch screen controler you can get if your into that kind of thing

[bernieburnalot]

AGREED. How on EARTH is a person supossed to memorize every track in every slot????

[pichoneitor]

you dont need to map the controller, because, it comes with ableton akai apc 40 version, and if you can see, in the display, its a red line arround the clips you are mapping in the apc 40, and you can move the selection of clips with the arrows in the controller, so, with this beauty you dont need to memorize anything, just check the display and that;s it! :D

[theknowngangster]

who here would rather hear him play some music with this new controller? i know i would like to hear how this piece of hardware can be utilized

[voidenter]

booooooooooorrrrrrrrring

[canecreek00]

shame its not USB bus powered so you stil need to plug it into a wall socket , thats the only reason i wont buy it.

[voidenter]

thats a pretty bad reason

considering you have to plug your computer/laptop in to have it work anyway.

if using it for more than 1.5 hours

[TheSpecialGuest]

Impossible to bus power with that many LEDs. That's why. I work at Akai

[canecreek00]

Not saying your wrong but it would seem NI Mashcine has plenty of LED's plus 2 screens yet happily works with bus power.

[bernieburnalot]

I dunno if you have ever experienced the USB Bus overload warning on Mac OS, but the real question to ask is how much power ANY device draws from the USB bus. Like you I prefer not to carry extra crap around with me, but it's nice to have options.

[quantumkat]

This is a blatant ripoff of the Monome. What a shame. :( I really hope the Monome makers patented their design.

[SufiShia]

From '88 the classic MPC60 "Cash Register" :)

watch?v=ubbHj7VGUhI

[bernieburnalot]

Don't see the connection there. If it actually did the kinds of things the monome does ON TOP of what it already does, I'd say it'd be quite a killer product.

[skylerstupid]

skill, this guy gives a good demo while holding with with one hand

[ChrisDSP]

This looks like a must have for Ableton users.

Chris

MixDSP(dot)net

[djmigra]

I wish to be rich so I can buy all this amazing stuff !!!

[TheElectricFlood]

AWESOME! i'll get it & my ableton shirt what that guy has will come tomorrow <3

[Shalom889]

how do the pads feel they seem really small

[moogonk18]

they are not pads..its not a drum machine they are buttons to trigger clips in live

[DirkBigler]

Go to AKAIAPC40 com Register for more information